Iran Faces Setback in Syria as Rebel Surge Threatens Key Ally
Tehran, Iran – While peace talks are underway between Israel and Hezbollah following weeks of conflict, Iran is facing a new crisis in its Middle Eastern stronghold of Syria. A bold rebel offensive by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has shaken the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, raising concerns in Tehran over the stability of its crucial ally.
Dozens of Syrian soldiers have been killed in recent days, forcing a military redeployment as HTS fighters advanced into the major city of Aleppo. In response, Russian jets have bombarded rebel positions, their first major air strikes in the region since 2020.
The situation has prompted Iranian-backed militias, including fighters from the Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi, to mobilize and head north from Iraq to reinforce Assad’s embattled troops.
"Takfiri groups are good news for enemies of the world of Islam," Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on social media platform X, using a term often applied to Sunni Muslim factions deemed heretical.
"Takfiri groups, instead of concentrating on the Zionist regime’s malevolent nature, draw attention to other places," Khamenei added,
The statement underscores Iran’s view of the conflict through the prism of the "umma," the global Muslim community. Khamenei believes internal conflict weakens the umma, diverting attention from what he considers the paramount struggle against Israel and for Palestinian liberation.
The long-standing alliance between Tehran and Damascus, forged in the wake of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, has been vital to both sides. They share a deep-seated opposition to Western influence and Israel, which Iran considers an existential threat.
Syria played a crucial role, providing a logistical lifeline to Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy force in Lebanon, during the Iran-Iraq War. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) established a significant presence in Syria, supplying arms, training pro-Assad militias, and bolstering the regime against rebel forces.
While Iran’s intervention helped Assad weather the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, it came at a significant cost: billions of dollars and the potential for conflict with other regional powers like Russia, which also sought influence in the war-torn country.
Currently, Iran views Syria as a critical link in its "axis of resistance" against Israel. This geographical buffer zone facilitates the movement of weaponry and personnel, complicating Israeli defense strategies. The war also provided Iran an opportunity to expand its influence in the region.
The recent HTS offensive poses a serious threat to this strategic vision.
"Takfiri groups are good news for enemies of the world of Islam. Exactly at a time when all Islamic Ummah’s attention is focused on the issue of Palestine, takfiri groups, instead of concentrating on Zionist regime’s malevolent nature, draw attention to other places,” Khamenei further stated.
[Include Image of Khamenei Meeting with Assad]
This recent challenge comes at a time when Iran’s regional influence has been weakened by recent setbacks. The elimination of key allies like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar has left Tehran desperate to maintain Assad’s grip on power.
For Khamenei, succeeeding in Syria is more than just geopolitical strategy: it is a battle for the soul of the umma. The ongoing conflict underscores the complex interplay of sectarian divisions, geopolitical rivalries, and the long-lasting struggle for regional dominance in the Middle East.
